Largest percent to depart on Aug. 30, according to Triple A..
AAA projects 34.1 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the upcoming Labor Day holiday, a 4.2 percent increase from the 32.7 million people who traveled last year.
The nonprofit motor club and leisure travel organization estimates 11.7 percent of the New England population will travel during Labor Day weekend, compared to 10.7 percent nationally.
The total number of 2013 Labor Day holiday travelers is expected to reach a new post-recession high. The Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Aug. 29 to Sept. 2.
Labor Day travel originating from the New England region is anticipated to grow by 4.4 percent over 2012. Automobile travel is expected to rise by 4.5 percent over last year.
“AAA is forecasting a lift in Labor Day travel this year due to the increasingly positive economic outlook and optimism in the housing market,” said Sandra J. Marsian, AAA Pioneer Valley Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Public Relations, in a release.
“For many Americans, their home is also their biggest asset, as home prices improve in many parts of the country more families are feeling comfortable about traveling this Labor Day holiday.”
Highlights from 2013 AAA Labor Day Holiday Travel Forecast include:
Labor Day holiday travelers to total 34.1 million, an increase of 4.2 percent from the 32.7 million who traveled last year
Eighty-five percent of travelers (29.2 million) to travel by automobile, an increase of 4.3 percent from 28 million last year
Holiday air travel expected to increase nearly three percent to 2.61 million.
The largest share of travelers (46 percent) will depart on Aug. 30
Sept. 2 is the most popular date of return for holiday trips with 43 percent planning to return that day
The average traveler is expected to travel a round-trip distance of 594 miles and spend $804
“As schools across the nation usher in their next session of students, the Labor Day holiday provides families with the opportunity for one final extended summer weekend getaway,” said Marsian.
“AAA reminds drivers as they head out for the holiday and the school year is beginning that safety should remain top of mind. It is important to remain distraction-free and keep their mind on the task of driving.”
Automobile travel remains the dominant mode of transportation.
Approximately 29.2 million people (85 percent) plan to drive to their destination, an increase of 4.3 percent from the 28 million who drove last year. Gas prices are unlikely to be a major factor for people in determining whether they will travel this Labor Day.
As of mid-August, prices were on average down 2.7 percent per gallon compared to the same time year.
AAA forecasts gas prices to remain less expensive than last year based on current trends through the middle of August, but there remains the potential for late-summer hurricanes and refinery problems that could send prices higher.
However, gas prices remain at a level most Americans consider too high. Half of U.S. adults consider gas prices to be “too high” when it reaches $3.44 per gallon.
Forty-six percent of adults believe gas is too high when it reaches $3.00 per gallon; 61 percent when it reaches $3.50 per gallon; and 90 percent when it reaches $4.00 per gallon.
More than 2.61 million leisure travelers (eight percent) will arrive at their destination by air, a slight increase (2.8 percent) from last year’s 2.54 million air travelers. The remaining seven percent of holiday travelers are expected to travel by other modes, including rail, bus and watercraft.
According to the survey of intending travelers, the average distance traveled by Americans during the Labor Day holiday weekend is expected to be 594 miles, which is 32 miles less than last year’s average of 626 miles.
Median spending during the Labor Day holiday weekend is expected to grow to $804, compared to $749 last year. Travelers expect to spend 24 percent of their budget on transportation and lodging and 21 percent on food and beverages.
During the holiday weekend the most popular activities will be dining (57 percent), visiting with friends/family (46 percent) and shopping (43 percent).
AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight.
The Colorado-based business information provider teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight Labor Day 2013 Forecast can be found here.
AAA Pioneer Valley is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Greenfield, Hadley, Springfield and West Springfield, providing over 189,000 AAA Members residing in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties with travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services.